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Reviews
Beyond the Mat (1999)
Beyond The Mat and why it belongs with the elite documentaries
Like Hoop Dreams, When We Were Kings, Roger & Me, Crumb, and Paradise Lost... Beyond The Mat takes a specific content only recognizable to fans and specialists in their fields, and turns said specific content into something any average Joe can gain an instantaneous interest into the presented subject matter. Beyond The Mat is a documentary in the purest sense of the word. The director takes the camera where it doesn't belong. He exposes that which is unexplicably mythological as smoke and mirrors, nothing more. Best of all, and most important to the success of a documentary in the eyes of an audience, it allows us a glimpse of what makes us only human. The drama, humor, and tragedy (not to mention the embarassment we feel for the "referee" of Terry Funk's final bout) are all elements that make for a successful documentary... a display of humanity at its best and worst. Yep, Hoop Dreams, When We Were Kings, Roger and Me, Crumb, Paradise Lost, and Beyond The Mat. All films that remind us of just how normal we are, regardless of the extraordinary situations we're sometimes mooshed into. Do you give hell about boxing, basketball, cars, comics, murderers, or wrestling? Maybe, maybe not. But it's documentaries like these that grab you and make you see the subject matter in another light. And that's what a succesful documentary SHOULD do. AND that's why Beyond the Mat is a successful documentary. See it.
The Iron Giant (1999)
take your kids, your parents, your friends.... take everybody.
Wow, I don't know where to start. The Iron Giant is a fantastic film that transcends animation. That is, it could've been done live action, but it wouldn't have worked as well as it does as a cartoon. This movie is absolutely amazing. I urge everybody who hasn't seen it to go see it immediately. Probably the most moving film I've ever seen. The ending ranks right up there with the endings of "Sling Blade" and "One False Move" for pure emotional power. When the movie ended, I looked around and saw people everywhere in the audience dabbing their eyes. On the way out of the theater, a father and his six year old son walked hand in hand. The father was using his other hand to wipe tears from his cheeks. That in itself speaks volumes for this movie. Despite this being animation, it's a film for everybody. And I don't mean that in a "this is a film for the whole family" kinda way. You don't even have to HAVE a family to enjoy this one. I'm shocked by The Iron Giant. Just an insanely beautiful film. Funny, sad, everything.... I gave it a 10.
Police Academy (1984)
great comedy, but alas, only average.
you know what? I don't think police academy is a homophobic film. Whenever I see it, and the two bad guy cops enter the blue oyster bar and that song starts playing? i start grinning. Very funny. These two cops are the bad guys. They're meant to be homophobes. If you were a homophobe, what would be your worst nightmare? .... THE BLUE OYSTER BAR!!!!
getting away from the political correct angle, the scene where Lt. Harris flies into the horses ass? Complete comedy brilliance. STILL.... i only rate this film a 5 out of ten.
Sing si lip yan (1993)
holy bejeevus, they need to release this movie domestically
Alright distributers, grab this one. This is the film that made me a Jackie Chan fan. I saw City Hunter a few years ago as part of a Chan double feature (with Drunken Master 2) at the Capital Theater in Olympia. I just about wet my pants. This movie RAWKS!!!! I've waited 3 long years to see it again, to no avail.
Highlights include: a scene where Chan becomes Chun Li from the Street Fighter series. An excellently choreographed scene where Chan battles street toughs on a skate board.
Brilliant film.
an EEEEEaaaaassssy 10 stars
Ninja III: The Domination (1984)
Best movie ever made? I think yes.
Wow. I've never seen nor heard of this film. It just came on tv (2:00 am) and I am in complete awe. Setup: a bunch of rich fat cats are out golfing. One knocks a ball into the rough. It lands by a NINJA!!!! A tuxedoed man walks over to pick the ball up. The ninja grabs it. Crushes it in his hand. Man pulls gun. Ninja pulls blowgun. Ninja blows dart into gun barrel. GUN EXPLODES!!!! This is just the beginning of the greatness, people. Everyone must see this movie. 10 big ol fat stars from trusty.